Thursday, March 27, 2003

Review - Dance and Dense Denso

Artist: Molotov

Posted
on Thu, Mar 27, 2003 at 4:00 AM

For those of us limited to only one language, the linguistic blur of Molotov's lyrics can be dizzying. The Mexico City quartet slips in and out of English and Spanish, utilizing jokes and loaded phrases in both languages with impressive dexterity. (I'm guessing about the whole Spanish part, but I've got to assume that a Mexican band capable of the line "Your titties are smelling like chocolate chip ice cream" in a song -- "Changüich a la Chichona" -- that overworks sex-as-food metaphors to the point of absurdity is capable of twisting their native language equally well.) But what's more impressive still is the overall stylistic smash-up Molotov undertakes on "Denso," which blends an undercurrent of norteño danceability and "Tejano" folksiness with a potent funk/punk/hip-hop/rock aggression that sends their sound far beyond any remotely accurate genre definitions. Plus, a thick strain of sharp, sick humor runs through the music and the message of Molotov. Able to deliver lyrics such as, "Don't call me gringo you fucking beaner, stay on your side of the god-damned river", in order to address border-area bigots, Molotov is also very capable of delivering music that's upbeat and off-beat but doesn't devolve into joke rock.